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The Belize Times
Established 1957
The Truth Shall Make You Free
1 DECEMBER 2013 | ISSUE NO: 4873
www.belizetimes.bz | $1.00
Evidence of VISA HUSTLING??
CASTRO
CASTRATED! Pg. 30
Francis Fonseca
assists
Needed: A Competent Minister of Works, CEO of Works & Chief Engineer!!
residents of Belama Phase 4 Arizona school children had to divert from the impassable road
Hon. Julius Espat joined hands with concerned residents to do the Ministry of Works’ job
PUP Leader with residents of Belama Phase 4
GOB fails to repair crumbling infrastructure nationwide
Pg. 30
Public buses trying to traverse dilapidated road to San Estevan Village
Pg. 3
PUP SUPPORTS CANE FARMERS
2 02
OPINION OUT
OUT
Deplorable Streets in Port Loyola!
!
Dear Editor, I write to condemn the very terrible condition of the network of streets in Port Loyola. I know that the majority of the streets in Belize City are in a bad state, but the ones in Port Loyola are ten times worst. Presently the waterholes on Faber’s Rd. Extension, Louis Bevans St., Reggae St., Guerrero St., and J.C. and J.R. Streets among others in the division are so big they look like swimming pools. These streets in Port are so deplorable that people who are travelling in vehicles on them shakeup as if they are riding young horses. And it’s pitiful to see how children and adults have to plough through the filthy mud and water to get to and from their homes. The terrible condition of these streets is also putting a serious hurt on the pockets of the owners of vehicles that use them. That’s because their terrible condition is causing massive wear and tear to vehicles. Recently a resident of Port became so frustrated with the bad street he used daily near old College in the Yabra area that he decided to take matters in his own hand. The good gentleman used his own hard earned money to purchase a load of sand and gravel and spread in on the street to ease the hardship of using it daily. That is despite the fact that the authorities collect taxes from all of us daily for the upkeep of the city infrastructure. It’s time that the Belize City Council and the UDP Area Representative take the necessary steps to fix the very deplorable streets in Port Loyola. Sincerely yours, Mario Lizama
LOCAL 29 Nov
1 DEC
THE BELIZE TIMES
We Need A New Constitution
!
Dear Editor, Example # 1: On November 26, 2013 the Government of Belize held a House Meeting. After this meeting the media reported that Hon. John Saldivar secured an approval from the Prime Minister for $150,000 to assist the Belmopan City Council with much needed repairs to the streets of Belmopan. If you study the Belize Constitution carefully you will find that Proviso to Section 16 (Non-Discrimination based upon race, religion, political persuasion, sex, etc.) expressly states that the Non-Discrimination Provision under Section 16 shall NOT apply to budgetary allocations under the National Budget. Therefore, allowing the ruling Government, more so the Prime Minister, unbridled power to discriminate against, for example, Area Representatives from the opposition party, thus leaving them hamstrung by not allocating financial resources to their constituency under the National Budget. This is one of the main mechanism embedded in our antiquated, carbon copied Constitution, that gives unbridled control to the ruling Government. It has been used with precision to manipulate constituencies and thus the Belizean people. Ultimately, it is always the People that suffers, since, if an Area Representative, usually of the opposition party, do not get the financial resources they need, they cannot do much to help the people in their constituency, which leads to disgruntlement, allowing the controlling party to use this to their advantage during election time. Is this true proportional representation of the People? Do the People in a constituency really have a voice in the House of Representatives? My answer to these questions: NO! Example # 2: On November 26, 2013 the media reported that over 14 Million Belize dol-
lars will be spent on Youth and Community Transformation in challenged Belize City neighborhoods. The Government of Belize (GOB), through the Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation, and with financial assistance from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), will be implementing a project that seeks to reduce vulnerability of children and youth to crime and gang membership in the Collet, Lake Independence, Pickstock and Port Loyola divisions of Belize City. Again, this shows the unbridled power Proviso to section 16 of the Constitution gives the ruling Government. Since the gerrymandering of the constituent districts in Belize centralizes power in Belize City, it is no surprise that all the resources garnered locally thru all forms of taxation and thru financial loans and aids from abroad, are funneled into these particular areas, and the rest of the country seems to get the crumbs, if there is any left. What happens to the youths in the rest of the country? What happens to the youths in Southern Belize, who live in the poorest constituencies in the country? Is this true proportional representation of the People? Do the People in a constituency really have a voice in the House of Representatives? My answer to these questions: NO! Conclusion: The examples I have pointed out are just for this week. If you pay attention, there are thousands of examples of the unbridled power our current Constitution gives our Government, and why we need a true Constitutional Reform, by the People, for the People. A true democratic country would have true proportional representation, inclusive of the appropriate National Budgetary Allocation and all other necessary mechanisms, enshrined in its Constitution. Belize’s current Constitution does the complete opposite. A Constitution, by definition, is there to restrict the power that the Government has over the nation and the people. Belize’s Constitution, on the contrary, gives Government unbridled power. Proviso to section 16 of the Constitution is just one of many examples of this fact, and Amendment 9 was the proverbial nail in the coffin. It has become more than blatantly obvious to me that we, the People of Belize along with our Government, are attempting to fix a house that is sitting on a rotted, dilapidated, antiquated foundation - our current Constitution. If we really want positive change in this country, where the goodwill of all People are first and foremost, we need a brand new Constitution. We need a Constitution where it is enshrined that the people have the last and final say. True People Power. For this to happen the People must demand a Constitutional Reform. Warm Regards, Charles Leslie Jr. Placencia
weather 30 Nov
1 Dec
2 Dec
263 Mar Dec
2013
OUT CALL THIS BLUFF!
!
Editor Sir: Blackmail is effective if one is afraid to be exposed. It is said that foreign governments have irrefutable, incriminating evidence of wrong-doing by certain ministers, which they will not release, if the Prime Minister does their bidding. The Prime Minister, relying on the good sense of the Belizean people, should call their bluff. He most likely already knows the facts. If he resigns and calls for new elections, he would be confounding those enemies of Belize who are trying to impose their agenda upon us. This would be reparation for the sins of his government and be accounted as a resounding patriotic act. This may well restore his credibility and provide him with a new mandate. Belizeans expect our Prime Minister to do the right and honorable thing. Signed: Paul Rodriguez
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The Belize Times
Established 1957
14 APR 2013
|
ISSUE NO: 4840
The Truth Shall Make You Free
www.belizetimes.bz
|
$1.00
serving Belize since 1957 as the longest continuous newspaper. Founder: Rt. Hon. George Cadle Price, People’s United Party Leader Emeritus EDITOR
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27 Mar Dec 6 4Feb
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1 DEC
2013
THE BELIZE TIMES
Francis Fonseca assists residents of Belama Phase 4 Belize City, November 28, 2013 This week the Freetown Area Representative and PUP Leader Hon. Francis Fonseca lent a helping hand to residents of Belama Phase 4 who are suffering from serious flooding and whose roads have become practically impassable. Despite repeated attempts to get the UDP Belize City Council to fulfill its responsibility and fix the roads and streets in Belama, and despite the Council having access to $20 million for infrastructure development, nothing has been done by CitCo. Apparently, the people of Belama Phase 4 are insignificant to them. Even the UDP Central Government has neglected Belama Phase 4, even though they have sought financial assistance in the name of street and drainage rehabilitation for that community. Three years later, Belama Phase 4 residents have seen not even a single drop of help
constituents to remain in despair because of a vindictive UDP Government. He responded by ensuring that the access road became passable once more. Belama Phase Four
The main entrance to Belama Phase IV has been rehabilitated through the efforts of PUP Leader Hon. Francis
and have been left to live in miserable conditions. The incessant rains left Belama Phase Four stranded as the entrance road was flooded and treacherous to cross. The UDP City Council nor Central Government budged. But Opposition Leader Area Representative Hon. Francis Fonseca could not allow his
03 3 was a PUP project that got underway in 2007 and was stopped by the UDP government, leaving the infrastructure in the area in a deplorable condition. Area Representative Hon. Francis has pledged to area residents that the project will be completed under the next PUP Government and that Belama Phase Four will be an area that they will be proud to live in.
4 04
THE BELIZE TIMES
on the
BAGASSSE: WASTE NO MORE! By Francis W. Fonseca The MOU dated October 5, 1989 between the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association and Belize Sugar Industries Ltd. states that both parties “agree that the sharing of revenue arising from the sale of any by-product not covered in their present agreement will be subject to future discussions and the sharing of revenues will be based on the results of those discussions.” Some 25 years later this clause in the MOU threatens to shut down the entire Sugar Industry in Belize. Bagasse, long considered a waste component of the cane, now serves as the raw material for the production of electricity which is then sold by BSI to BELCOGEN and in turn sold to BEL.
The BSCFA representing some 5000 farmers is demanding that any new commercial agreement with BSI provide for a value to be placed on Bagasse just as currently a value is attached to sugar and molasses. They argue that Bagasse comprises 30% of the sugar cane and whether or not it had any value in the past, it now has value for energy generation purposes and the farmers should be compensated accordingly. The BSCFA says that no cane will be delivered to BSI until and unless this matter is resolved. The farmers are strong and united and the BSCFA has by resolution been given a clear mandate from its membership to stand firm. BSI/ASR appears to be
equally firm in its position that electricity is not a by-product of the cane milling process but rather a product created solely by BSI’s investment in a cogeneration plant used to dispose of Bagasse. On this basis BSI rejects any suggestion that Cañeros should share in the revenues from the sale by BELCOGEN of electricity to BEL. BSI/ASR claims to have invested $130M to make this possible and say the farmers want “something for nothing”. And this is where we now stand. At an impasse. Both sides dug in and an apparent breakdown in communication and trust. The UDP Government is hands off saying essentially,
1 DEC
2013 “go to court”. This is a woefully inadequate response. The PM and his Government must become fully engaged in this matter. There is simply too much at stake for our entire economy and country. The Cañeros are beginning to believe that ASR was a mistake. They feel disrespected and misled. They ask, where is the $16 per ton more promised? Where is the low interest financing? The village and sugar roads are in a horrendous state and the GOB is moving slowly. And looming large is 2017 which may very well be a make or break year for sugar in Belize. All is certainly not well in the sugar industry. Our farmers, like so many other Belizeans, are angry and frustrated. Our cane farmers deserve a share of the revenues generated from the use of Bagasse which they deliver along with their cane to BSI. This share must reflect BSI’s investment and risks in designing, building, commissioning, managing and operating a power co-generation plant. The PUP stands firmly with our brother and sister Cañeros in seeking a responsible resolution to this matter. Our cane farmers are proud, dignified people who work hard each and every day to provide for their families and to develop this country. They must always be respected and treated fairly!
1 DEC
2013
THE BELIZE TIMES
05 5
EDITORIAL This is what will cause the government to fall “We are suffering from corruption, oppression and bad education. We are living amid a corrupt system which has to change” – Noha Hamed, twenty four, a worker in Egypt during the uprising that brought down the government. The basic norm in a parliamentary democratic state as Belize professes to be, is that a government governs by the consent of the governed. And since we pride ourselves on holding periodic elections when the people freely elect their leaders, then we are expected to wait until the next election day to return or to remove those who rule over us. To quote from the Preamble to our nation’s Constitution: Whereas the People of Belize… “believe that the will of the people shall form the basis of government in a democratic society in which the government is freely elected by universal adult suffrage and in which all persons may, to the extent of their capacity play some part in the institutions of national life and thus develop and maintain due respect for lawfully constituted authority”. This may be the ideal. But if truth be told, the will of the Belizean people was subverted from the days leading up to the general elections of March 2012 when several Ministers including Elvin Penner brazenly and fraudulently secured hundreds of nationality documents for persons who did not qualify for citizenship and illegally fast-tracked their registration as voters. With all that, Penner won by 17 votes. Lo and behold it was this same corrupt Elvin Penner who was later appointed a Minister of State in the Ministry of Immigration and Nationality by Prime Minister Barrow. This was a clear demonstration of a bizarre character flaw from a man who early in his first term as Prime Minister painted himself as “Clean Dean” ready with his machete to cut down even “the whiff of corruption”. Clean Dean has since turned a blind eye to the rip off of public funds in the construction of the Marion Jones Stadium. Clean Dean brushed aside the abuses, irregularities and incompetence and negligence in the Ministry of Health and at the KHMH where thirteen infants were infected by bacteria in the neo-natal intensive care ward and died. No one was held accountable for this national calamity despite a PAHO report that exposed gross administrative negligence at the hospital. Not only was there a whiff of corruption but a putrid smell of rampant corruption and abuse in the rosewood scandal that involved his Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Forestry but Clean Dean stayed far away pre-
tending piously that he knew nothing about it. (He was on one of his many jaunts to Miami). Recently, while on a medical checkup visit to Los Angeles, the Prime Minister was questioned about the litany of reports of kick-backs, bribery and blatant hustling in the Ministry of Natural Resources again involving his Deputy Prime Minister, Clean Dean admitted that the Lands Department was a “hot bed of corruption” but he went out of his way to defend Gaspar Vega the bag-man for the UDP in the North. But despite all the Prime Minister’s pious protestations to his Cabinet “For God’s sake stop it, stop it,” the Government is now facing a political firestorm that is engulfing the Barrow government. Penner is now a pariah and will soon be subject to a recall by the people of Cayo North East. Good riddance! Even the UDP voters in the area want to retire him. Holding on to power is however the sole driving force in unclean Dean’s D.N.A. That is why Barrow is trying desperately to cover up Castro’s transgressions; the same Castro that he once declared unfit for office when reports surfaced of a land scam involving the Minister of State. That is why the UDP Senators voted against a Senate Inquiry into corruption in the Immigration Department. When Mr. Barrow was confronted in the House of Representatives about the visa hustle and the damning revelation on TV by Ms. Burgess that Edmund Castro collected $2,000.00 for every visa he recommended for scores of Asian nationals, the Prime Minister prevaricated in the House saying he and Godwin Hulse personally checked and could find no evidence of this at the Immigration Department. In other words he is either a bare-faced liar or an out of touch fool. Well, the chickens are coming home to roost. Channel 5 News on Tuesday and Wednesday is exposing Castro and the other fat cats in the UDP Cabinet who were involved in this visa racket for private gain. Now that the documented evidence of blatant corruption is presented, will Barrow continue with his sanctimonious hypocritical pleas to his rogue cabinet (for God’s sake stop it, stop it). Or will he, before his government falls by inglorious infamy, do the decent thing, resign and call new elections? We won’t hold our collective breath. For as we are reminded by the words of Lord Acton: “Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
6 06
THE BELIZE TIMES
1 DEC
2013
1 DEC
07 7
THE BELIZE TIMES
2013
DAVID CASTILLO
NEW PUP STANDARD BEARER for COROZAL NORTH
Party Chairman Henry C. Usher swears in David Castillo as the PUP Corozal North Standard Bearer
PUP Corozal North Standard Bearer David Castillo & Everaldo Uk will join forces to defeat the UDP
Counting the over 1,600 votes cast at the convention
Hundreds of supporters rejoice the PUP’s upcoming victory in Corozal North
PUP NOTICE Stann Creek West Executive Committee Convention The People’s United Party is accepting applications for members of the Stann Creek West Executive Committee. Application forms are available at the PUP Secretariat, Independence Hall, #3 Queen Street, Belize City. Date of Election is November 30, 2013.
NOTICE: I, José N. Martinez, give notice that I am applying to the Magistrate’s Court sitting at Orange Walk Town for a certificate to be granted to me under the Moneylender’s Act Chapter 260 to authorize me to carry on business as a Moneylender in the name of Nancy’s Pawn Shop at #24 Belize Corozal Road, Orange Walk Town.
Season’s Greetings from HMA Services We are offering special discountd fro the upcoming Christmas Holidays on our janitorial services, lawn and grass cutting, pruning of trees, cartage as well as painting jobs. Take advantage of this season’s offer. No job too small or too large for us to handle. FREE Estimates. Give us a call at 667-4043
0 88
THE BELIZE TIMES
WOMAN IN THE HOUSE By Dolores Balderamos Garcia
The time has come! A little over a week ago it came to my attention that a letter had been written to the newspapers making the proposal that Ladyville/Lord’s Bank should become a town. The letter is written by Major Lloyd Jones, retired officer of the BDF who lives in the BDF area of Lord’s Bank. Major Jones has been outspoken on several important issues, and I found his proposal interesting. I have to say that his proposal is nothing new. He has certainly not made any great discovery in putting this issue forward. I can recall that back in 1990, when Mr. Gaspar Lara, of blessed memory, was Chairman of the Ladyville Village Council, he and I actually went house to house campaigning for Ladyville to become a town. The Ladyville/Lord’s Bank area has been my stomping ground for a very long time. I still worship at Our Lady of the Way R.C. Church, both my sons having been christened there
twenty-five and twenty years ago respectively. Let me hasten to say that I very much welcome this idea coming forward again, and Major Jones is to be commended for once more putting it on the table. If memory serves, when Mr. Lara and I campaigned on this issue, then area representative Glenn Godfrey took the view that Ladyville/Lord’s Bank should become part of “greater Belize City,” whatever that meant. And when Ralph Fonseca was representative from 1993 to 2008 the whole area saw unprecedented growth, development, and attention. No joke indeed – Ralph worked for all of us! Again I feel very grateful that the idea for township has come up once more (although I am not sure whether Lord’s Bank residents would wish to be a part of the Town of Ladyville/ Lord’s Bank). I do not think anyone can gainsay that the present situation is not working at all. With over 4,000 voters
and close to 9,000 residents Ladyville/ Lord’s Bank is a sprawling suburban/rural area, stretching from the Haulover Bridge all the way up to the Mile 13 junction with the Burrell Boom to Hattieville Road. It comprises the Airport area, Vista del Mar, New Site, Mitchell Estate, Perez Road/ Plunkett Road, Old Northern Highway, Lord’s Bank/Old Well Road area, Marage Road/Milpa area, Los Lagos, Lake Garden, and the Mile 13 area. The village council does not have the authority and clout nor the resources to service these huge communities, and change is desperately needed. Two examples will suffice to make the point strongly. First, the Chinese supermarkets that have sprung up and which are making loads of money from all these communities have mostly been left to develop and place cement parking areas but with no proper culverts for drainage. This has caused the highway to literally become broken up, and Ministry of Works officials are sick and tired of doing “cover benjie” work to deal with the problems, not to mention how sick and tired residents are of the terrible roads and the problems of lack of drainage. Not to mention a complete paucity of other essential services like cleaning drains and proper garbage collection and enforcement of no littering signs. Every time it rains hard Ladyville R.C. School is under water and classes have to be called off. Plus the various businesses pay almost no taxes and are left to go on their merry way hauling almost every last dollar out of Ladyville/Lord’s Bank people. They certainly get quite a bit of my mon-
1 DEC
2013 ey, as it is quite convenient for me to shop there. Secondly, there has been the recent development of M & M Engineering doing their business at their new premises along the Old Northern Highway. While we can never be against jobs for our people, the result has been pure grief for residents, including those of Dew Drop Estate (which I didn’t mention above). Massive heavy equipment including trucks with flatbed trailers and cement piles, cement trucks, cranes, etc. are now twenty-four seven traversing stretches of the road that were never meant to accommodate such heavy loads. The result has been HORRENDOUS. I am supporting residents in dialoguing with M & M Engineering and bringing all this to the Ministry of Works’ attention. This situation cannot continue, and M & M must bear full responsibility for the breaking up of the roadways. These two examples make it patently clear that there needs to be a municipal body for Ladyville/Lord’s Bank that will have some clout. And we all know that this will mean TAXES. Unlike Lloyd Jones I am less concerned about the make-up of the Town Council and other ancillary matters like the education level of members. My main concern is to sit with residents to iron out how the tax structure will work when, by legislation, town status, or other municipal status that has some teeth, is granted to the area. Let us think this out and talk seriously about it. THE TIME HAS COME!!!
1 DEC
2013
THE BELIZE TIMES
The New Revolution Building on the Peaceful Constructive Belizean Revolution By C. Trench-Sandiford - Deputy Party Leader “..There are constant cycles in history. There is loss, but it is always followed by regeneration. The tales of our elders who remember such cycles are very important to us now.” - Carmen Agra Deedy, Cuban-American Writer Just the thought of sitting and having a conversation with the Rt. Hon. Said Musa, can be intimidating to say the least. After all, he is a former Party Leader and two term Prime Minister, someone of high intellectual capacity, a formidable politician, a passionate nationalist and revolutionary. But at the same time, if you are “DNAed” as I am for learning and engaging in constructive dialogue, if you appreciate the life stories of our elders as I do, and if the person you are about to have the conversation with is someone whom you are in awe of, as is the case, then the anticipation level can be stratospheric. Why? Because you know that the conversation will be inspiring, bursting with emergent ideas, and like a sponge, you will absorb each moment as discrete, to capture that unique dimension, even though they all are interconnected, and so it was. I constantly state that a revolution is not a destination, but a journey, and as we travel as Party and a people, the journey will shaped by the decisions of the past, and the lessons learned along the way, but always constant, are the needs and aspirations of the people of Belize, of the current and next generation. The Hon. Francis Fonseca is the sixth leader of the People’s United Party. The first was John Smith, the second, Leigh Richardson, the third, the Rt. Hon George Price, the fourth, the Rt. Hon. Said Musa, and the fifth, the Hon. John Briceño. Each of our leaders have left an indelible print on the Party and the country. Each has contributed to the journey. And so will the Hon. Francis Fonseca. He has set the party on a progressive course of change and reform, for not only long lasting and meaningful solutions, but solutions that the people can believe in, solutions that will fulfill the promise of the peaceful constructive Belizean revolution. In his own words, ‘we cannot return to government same old, same old. While we will build on our successes and achievements, we will also learn from the past as what to do and what not to do, and be prepared to do things differently, and to always be mindful of our duty to serve the people’ This comes at a time when not only is the internal and external threat to the survival of the nation state of Belize and the Belizean identity is at its highest level, but also when our people are most frustrated, and have lost hope in our systems and institutions of government, and the promise of a better quality of life, and are disillusioned and cynical about politics and political parties, rhetoric and emp-
ty promises. It is not the first time that challenges that confront us appear to be insurmountable, but perhaps it is the first time the opportunities are endless to explore, and to capitalize on, if calibrated with the contributions of all Belizeans, particularly our former leaders. And as the Rt. Hon. Said Musa drew from the experiences of leaders before him, primarily on the Father of the Nation, the Rt. Hon. George Price, as he charted a course of cultural renaissance, pioneered
an innovative approach of shared governance with civil society, broadened and deepened the social justice mandate with national health insurance and non-contributory pension among others, and steered unprecedented economic growth, so too, will the Hon. Francis Fonseca, in leading the new revolution. So the anticipation of the conversation beat out the butterflies of intimidation. I prepared my thoughts to at least give the appearance of the ability to hold a conversation with one so iconic, and had the great discussion with the Rt. Hon. Said Musa in his office in the building fondly referred to as the Kremlin. For it is in learning from our elders, former decision-makers and drivers of the peaceful constructive Belizean revolution that we can calibrate the coordinates and milestones of the New Revolution, so that it is not only anchored in our philosophies of social justice and democratic nationalism, that it not only stands on the three pillars of governance, economy and education, but that also designed to
09 9 achieve four goals: - To protect and the people and nation state of Belize, for if there is no nation state, there is no us, and if there is no us, there is no Belize. - To regain the confidence of the Belizean people in our Party and our democratic processes; - To eradicate poverty and bring about social progress; and - To forge national unity and create the Belize that all of us can be proud to leave for our children; Only so can the new revolution be meaningful and bring about true change and reform, so that all Belizeans, not a select few, can enjoy a high quality of life in a just and safe society. As the age old saying go, a country that knows not its history, is bound to repeat its mistakes. There is so much that we can learn from the Rt. Hon. Said Musa. That conversation is for next week.
10
THE BELIZE TIMES
FACES & OPINIONS
1 DEC
2013
by Micah Vernon
VACANCY Administrative Specialist Terms of Reference Background: The Belize Natural Energy Charitable Trust (BNECT) is a partnership between the Government of Belize and Belize Natural Energy Ltd. (BNE), established by Trust Deed dated February 25th, 2008. The Trust was established to make a difference in the lives of Belizeans and thus seeks to empower people and communities to thrive in a harmonious, socially and environmentally responsible manner so that they can be the conscious architects of their own future. The Trust’s mission is to serve as a catalyst for people and communities to believe in themselves so they can achieve their full potential. Position: Administrative Specialist The Trust is looking for a mature, motivated, dynamic, organized, and well-disciplined candidate to fill this position. The specific responsibilities include: 1. Update and maintains oversight of the general filing system for the General Manager and BNECT’s general correspondences; 2. Assist the General Manager in identifying human resource development needs for all BNECT employees; 3. Assists the General Manager in the planning, organizing and coordinating of internal training and education opportunities and activities; 4. Ensures that all performance appraisal documents are properly filed and kept confidentially; 5. Coordinates BNECT Staff Activities; 6. Maintains and updates BNECT’s official distribution list (media houses, hotels, caterers, etc.); 7. Assists the Accountant with day to day accounting duties including management of the petty cash system 8. Administrates and manages procurement of office supplies and stationery from suppliers; 9. Maintains and manages inventory of office supplies, stationery and equipment; 10. Assists the Accountant with regard to administrative items that are necessary for audit preparation 11. Assist the Accountant with processing staff related benefits such as vacation leave, sick leave, etc.; 12. Maintains all staff employee records ensuring up-to-date information and confidentiality; 13. Assist the Project Administrator with maintaining the project files, preparing correspondences for projects; 14. Assist Project Administrator with planning and organizing project launch and inaugurations; 15. Coordinates internal and external meeting logistics and international travel arrangements for GM and Board; 16. Provide support and backstopping for interns Qualification Requirements: Associate Degree in Business Administration or Secretarial Administration (preferred); knowledge of basic accounting practices; At least three years’ work experience in the field of general and/or secretarial administration. Key Competencies, Attitudes and Behaviors • Ability to adhere to confidentiality policies; • Customer Service Oriented; • Flexible; Ability to pay attention to detail; • Ability to meet deadlines; • High level of multitasking capabilities; • Team player; Mature and highly motivated; • Ability to operate standard office equipment; • Proactive and takes initiative Skill Requirements • • • • •
Advanced level of computing literacy (Microsoft Office applications etc.); Excellent written and oral communication skills; Excellent interpersonal skills; Excellent decision making and problem solving skills; Excellent organizational and planning skills; and excellent analytical skills
Salary: Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Interested candidates my submit applications including a cover letter, resume and at least two recommendations to the General Manager at the above address. Deadline is Friday, December 20th, 2013
What do you think happened to Tyson Rodriquez?
Melanie
I know that the police officers killed the boy.
Britney
I believe some what the police is involved with his death.
Jaime
Tyson was held down on the beach, beaten first by 3 or 4 police officers. Head pushed down in the sand until he suffocated.
Gerene
I think that the police killed him.
Brandon I think the police killed the young man, but like the inspector says he’ll investigate about it. I think the system needs to tighten up because innocent people are dying and he isn’t the first person to die in police custody. I think they killed him because of the house invasion they pinned him to, the bible says, A JUDGER IS A SINNER!
RAY
The system is corrupted, a man that’s handcuffed wouldn’t jump out of a moving car. Police took him to the beach side and sunk his head into the sand which made him suffocate and died. They did it to get revenge for the Canadian couple that was badly beaten that they assumed he was involved with.
Deina
I know for a fact that the police killed him and I don’t agree with them their not God to kill anyone and take away his life. They say they have a justice system so they should have let that play its role instead of killing him. They should have put him in jail where he belonged; nobody deserves to die no matter how bad they are
Shanda
There is a strong possibility that the police killed him, and I think that’s the way Belize is and it won’t change.
1 DEC
2013
11
THE BELIZE TIMES
Costly Corporate Greed BSI/ASR’s position is bitter for sugar industry Belize City, November 26, 2013 American Sugar Refining (ASR) Inc., the new foreign owners of Belize Sugar Industries (BSI) thanks to the Barrow Administration, has taken a position of corporate greed which is bitter and could prove costly for the important sugar industry. ASR has rejected the cane farmers’ request for payment of $10 per ton of bagasse (sugar cane waste product) that is collected from the sugar cane delivered to the mill. ASR through its subsidiary company, Belcogen, utilizes the bagasse to produce electricity through its cogeneration plant. The electricity is then sold to BEL and BSI, earning millions of revenue for ASR; therefore, cane farmers classify bagasse as a by-product of sugar cane or at least a product of value. But ASR’s position is a hardcore NO. At a press conference held on Monday morning in Belize City, the company’s vice-president, Ricardo Lima, stated that the cane farmers have absolutely no claim. “The issue here is that we feel that since the farmers had no risk, did not put any money into Belcogen, have not invested into Belcogen –
Liquor License NOTICES
Notice is hereby given that MARGARET NUÑEZ is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “Tropicolada Cocktail Hut”, situate at No. 7 Fort Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that EUFEMIO JIMENEZ is applying for a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “Jimenez Shop”, situate at Guinea Grass Village, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that ALCIRES CHIN is applying for a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “The Price Is Right”, situate at Guinea Grass Village, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.
the product of electricity which is a result of the one hundred and thirty million dollar Belize investment by BSI should not go to anybody else but BSI. That’s just pure business fairness, and that’s what we call it,” stated Lima defiantly. The cane farmers disagree. Cane farmers, through the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association, have lobbied to benefit more from BSI’s revenue pie by using a clause in their existing agreement with the factory that states “…the sharing of revenue arising from the sale of any by-product not covered in their
present agreement will be subject to future discussions and the sharing of revenue will be based on the results of those discussions”. BSI claims that bagasse is not a “byproduct” of sugar cane because by itself it is waste material which has no value. It further says that the bagasse is turned into steam which is what is used to produce electricity. They say this is their legal interpretation and they are prepared defend it in Continued on page 19
ASR Vice President Ricardo Lima
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THE BELIZE TIMES
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2013
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THE BELIZE TIMESTIMES THE BELIZE
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TOPMODEL 13
ENTERTAINMENT
NEWS
The Image Factory Art Foundation’s latest exhibition 3 X FOCUS a photo show by Barbara Norales, Helen Laurie and Myrtle Palacio will open to the public on Friday 29th November 2013 at 7:00pm. The overall objective of the exhibit is to share and bring awareness. Though from different background the artists all have the interest of photographing the way they live today. So the exhibition focuses a range of location and topics including details of everyday Belizean experiences in Belize and the Diaspora and clichés and cultural trends, with works ranging from sincere to satirical subject matter and from cosmic to intimate scale. Barbara’s features “artists in motion” in the dances such as Wanaragua and the Bagasu; Helen offers a landscape of Belizean cultural activities abroad and Myrtle documents Belizean culture ethnic, rituals, graffiti, political as well as the beauty in art formation through her eyes in the streets of Belize.
Location: Mirab and Company
3 X Focus Art Exhibition opens
Jeraldyn • • • • • •
Height: 5’ 6” • Career Plan: Masters in Business Administration Sign: Aquarius Favourite Food: Seafood Likes: Modeling, Swimming and Dancing Lives in: Belize City
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14 SPORTS
THE BELIZE TIMES TIMES THE BELIZE
Hurricanes win Bros. Habet table tennis championship
Belize City, November 24, 2013 The Brothers Habet team table tennis championship finals at the Belize Elementary School auditorium on Sunday saw the Hurricanes crowned as 1st Division Champs while Team Garage and the St. Joseph’s Pros won their 3rd Division titles. After some 21 teams, each with 4 players, competed for 2 ½ months of competition, the playoffs knockout round began Sunday morning with 4 teams advancing in each division. 1ST DIVISION In the 1st Division, Team Ping Pang: Yasser Musa, Billy Musa
Jr., Tyrone Tun and Kareem Michael eliminated Team Cuz 5-2; while Team Hurricanes eliminated Team Welders 5-2. The Hurricanes: Carlos Cui, Hector Lopez and Sen Sen won the 1st Division championship finals 5-4 over Ping Pang, while Team Cuz: Nicholas Martin, Jorge Espat and Dan Habet won the 3rd place game 5-3 over the Welders: Ernesto Rivero, Arturo Vasquez and Mike Rivero. 2ND DIVISION
Paradise Freedom Fighters are No. 1 in Belikin Cup football Belmopan, November 16, 2013 The Paradise Freedom Fighters of Punta Gorda secured the No. 1 spot in the Premier League of Belize as they struggled to a 1-1 draw with FC Belize in Week 9 of the Belikin Cup football tournament at the MCC Grounds on Sunday. FC Belize looked to get on
Jody Polanco takes on Jarret Davis
In the 2nd Division playoffs, Team Garage: eliminated Team Bismark: 5-2, while the SJC wildcats eliminated the Penholders: Marion Usher, Matthew Usher and Armando Gomez: 5-4. Team Garage (Roberto Leal, Mario Guerrero and Emilio Perrera) won the 2nd Division championship finals 5-3 over the SJC Wildcats (Harim Ochaeta, Gian Lisbey, Fabio Carballo) while Team Bismark’s Toni Lui,
the scoreboard early when they set table in the goal area for Kevin Lino who could not catch up to the ball. PG’s Alexander Peters and Franz Vernon tried a sandwich play on FC Belize goalie Glenford Chimilio, who took them on and came out of his goal; but Shannon Flowers bailed out Chimilio after Vernon had the keeper beat. PG’s goalie Stephen Polonio made a save in the 12th minute that deflected the ball to Mark “Kelo” Leslie who sent it into the net to give the city squad the 1 – zip lead up to the half. In the 2nd half, Chimilio continued to live dangerously as he
came up with a couple of saves to deny the visitors, but the game was almost over when Lisbey Castillo found Franz Vernon who blasted the ball into the far corner for the 1-1 draw. Other games: San Ignacio United vs. Belmopan bandits 2-0 Goals by Anthony Gonzalez, Carlos Vasquez Verdes vs. Belize Defense Force – 2-0 Goals by Orlando “Lichy” Jimenez, Julio Ayala Standings: Paradise Freedom Fighters – No. 1 Verdes FC – No.2 BDF – No.3 Belmopan Bandits – No. 4
1 DEC
2013 Leo Carballo and Moses Babb won the 3rd place consolation game 5-4 over the Penholders. 3RD DIVISION In the 3rd Division playoffs, the SJC Young Warriors advanced to the finals by eliminating the St. Joseph Stars 5-2 while the St. Joseph pros eliminated the St. Joseph Heat 5-0. The St. Joseph Pros won the 3rd division championship finals 5-0 over the SJC Young Warriors, while the St. Joseph’s Heat outlasted the St. Joseph Stars 5-4 to win 3rd place. Mr. Carlo Habet, representing the sponsors, brothers HABET Ltd was on hand to present some 48 trophies and additional gift items to all the winners. He congratulated the association for a successful tournament and also thanks them for allowing his company to be a part of the development of table tennis. Brothers HABET has been the original sponsor of this event for 5 years, and will continue to provide support to this event.
Mark “Kelo” Leslie scored FC Belize’s 1st goal
DEC 11DEC
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THE BELIZE TIMESTIMES THE BELIZE
2013 2013
Mr. Belize place 1st in Bodybuilding Competition in Merida November 25, 2013 2012/2013 Mr. Belize, Rigo Vellos, won the top prize and title in the 2013 Revolution Cup Bodybuilding Competition held on Sunday, November 24 2013 at the annual Yucatan Festival in Xmatkuil, Merida. Belize’s top bodybuilder, who trains at Spartan Fitness Gym in Corozal Town, competed in the 80kg and over category, defeating dozens of other international competitors. He then advanced to the overall category and defeated well-known Mexican bodybuilders such as Suriz-
aday Alba Peña of Mexico’s “The Gym” and Isaac Acuña of “AM Gym”. This is a historic achievement for Belize. This was the first time a Belizean competed in the event. And now, a Belizean can claim the top title in one of Mexico’s most competitive bodybuilding competitions. Rigo Vellos won the Mr. Belize title back to back at the Belize Body Building and Fitness Federation competition on November 1st 2013.
Mr. Belize Rigo Vellos and Chetumal, Quintana Roo bodybuilder Meffi de la Rosa
Brown Bombers has
SMART Mundialito’s best record Belize City, November 24, 2013 The undefeated Brown Bombers are No. 1 in the 2013 SMART Mundialito football tournament with 22 points from 7 wins and a draw, while the undefeated City Boys Jrs. follow behind with 18 points from 5 wins and 3 draws. The Brown Bombers swept away the Survivors 3-0 with the tournament’s top striker Sherwin
Requeña scoring in the first half and adding a 2nd goal after the break. Tyreek “Pippin” Muschamp picked up a rebound off a goal post and blasted in a 3rd goal before the long whistle. The City Boys Jrs. ran over Third World: 2-0 with Akeem Sutherland scoring the first goal in the 1st half;
Baby Jaguars rank 5th in UNCAF U-16 football
Belmopan, November 22, 2013 Belize’s “Baby Jaguars” ranked 5th in the final standings of the Union of Central American Football Federations (UNCAF) U-16 football championships, which the Football Federation of Belize hosted at the FFB Stadium in Belmopan last week.
After a 2-1 win over Nicaragua on Monday, the Baby Jaguars never won another game falling 2-0 to El Salvador on Tuesday, 3-2 to Guatemala on Wednesday, and a single strike by Honduras’ Jose Canelas in the 22nd minute was enough to give the “Catrachos” the 1-0
Bombers’ Eshaq King attacks and Kenny Linarez a 2nd after the break. The match between Belize Elementary and Young Stars has been re-scheduled as a back match. The tournament continues with its final week of regular competition on Saturday, November 30. Other games: Hattieville United vs. Ladyville Jaguars – 2-1 Goals by Mario Rivera, Jairo Donis, Lyndon Flowers (penalty) Collet Strikers vs. Ladyville Rising Stars – 0-0 Hattieville United vs. Ladyville Jaguars – 2-1
win on Thursday. Costa Rica loaded up Belize 4-0 on Friday with strikes by Gerardo Contreras, in the 23rd minute, Shaw Manley in the 33rd minute, Jonathan Martinez in the 42nd minute and Sergio Ramirez in the 61st minute. Costa Rica had been leading the tournament in the first two days but ended up in a 3-way tie with Guatemala and El Salvador each with 10 points, after Costa Rica drew with Nicaragua 2-2 on Wednesday, lost to El Salvador 1-0 on Thursday and won 4-0 over Belize on Friday. Guatemala eventually emerged as champions as they won 2-1 over El Salvador on Monday, lost
1-2 to Costa Rica on Tuesday, won 3-2 over Belize on Wednesday, won 2-1 over Nicaragua on Thursday and drew 0-0 with Honduras on Friday. Costa Rica had the better goal differential scoring with 10 goals and receiving 5, while Guatemala had only scored 8 goals and received 6. The tie was decided based on goals scored in games between the teams in the tie; in this regard Guatemala had scored 3 goals and received 3, while Costa Rica had only scored 2 and received 2. El Salvador, ranked third, had only scored one goal and received 2.
“End of the World” Placencia Marathon nears Placencia, Stann Creek, November 12, 2013 Over 200 runners have registered to compete in the annual Placencia Half-Marathon and Marathon to be held on Sunday 8 December 2013 at 5:00am. Limited registrations may be possible at www.runbelize.org. The 26.2 mile marathon course begins at the football/soccer field at the bottom of the peninsula, goes through Placencia Village, past Chabil Mar, Seine Bight Village, and Maya Beach, with multiple views of the Caribbean Sea and the mountains along the way. The course then loops back a few miles south of Riversdale. The 13.1 mile half marathon course begins at the marathon turnaround and both races finish in Placencia Village.
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THE BELIZE TIMES
1 DEC
2013
PRESS CONFERENCE Called by Belize Sugar Industries Limited (BSI) & American Sugar Refining, Inc. (ASR) Radisson Fort George 26th November 2013 – 10:00 a.m. OPENING STATEMENT (a)
Purpose of Calling the Press Conference (i) As BSI stated in its first press release, it is generally the preferred course to seek to deal with disputes between stakeholders by communications between such stakeholders rather than for each side to be trying to make its own public case. (ii) However the claim by the BSCFA for payment for bagasse has been launched and advocated in the public media. Further, the dispute has to do with the sugar industry, which is a pillar in the economic structure of Belize, and pivotal to the north of the Country. In addition, with the recent large investment of ASR in the industry, it also has implications for further private investment which is critical for the economic development of Belize. (iii) BSCFA has made its case in frequent pronouncements and news items. (iv) BSI and ASR therefore wish to state their own position, including correcting any misstatements or misconceptions which may have been made or created.
(b)
This is a legal commercial dispute The relations between BSI and the BSCFA and its members are governed by law. The farmers sell the sugar cane to BSI – the sugar, water, fiber, mud and all. The sugar cane is then the property and responsibility of BSI. It is BSI’s burden to store and dispose of the waste, including the bagasse. BSI spent $20 million over the last 30 years for such storage and disposal, and continues to bear the cost. The Company never asked the farmers to contribute to or share in this cost, because that was BSI’s responsibility and no doubt the BSCFA would never have entertained such cost.
(c)
The Cane Purchase Agreement The price at which the sugar cane is purchased is the subject of a commercial agreement between BSI and the BSCFA. This Agreement provides for the cane price to be determined from “the gross realized proceeds … of all sugar … and final molasses”. The Agreement is complete in itself and is signed by both parties. And then, as an added appendage there is a signed statement that: “…the sharing of revenue arising from the sale of any by-product not covered in their present agreement will be subject to future discussions and the sharing of revenue will be based on the results of those discussions” BSI’s position is that the revenue from electricity sales cannot be described as a “sale of a by-product”, and that the source of the revenue is really a productive way of what BSI had been doing all the years on its own – disposal of the bagasse, including the burning of the bagasse to produce electricity for the mill. In addition, the clause does not require a payment for a “by-product” but only says that it will be “subject to future discussions”
(d)
Return on Investment The Belcogen Project was conceived from in 2001. It was a major investment Project in Belize. There was nothing to prevent the BSCFA from proposing to invest in the Project. It was designed, planned, financed and built and took 8 years before it began to produce electricity for sale in 2009. It was exclusively a BSI capitalized Project, the capital investment amounting to approximately BZ$130 million. And, in keeping with BSI’s history of responsibility for the disposal of bagasse, it was a productive method of disposal, but only after major investment. The claim for payment for the bagasse because of electricity sales is to provide a return without investment. To date, Belcogen has incurred a cumulative operating loss.
(e)
A matter for the Courts BSI has repeatedly stated to the BSCFA that since there is a fundamental disagreement between the parties, then the proper place to determine the dispute is in the Courts – if the BSCFA believes in its claim, then it can file that claim with the Supreme Court of Belize. The Court can then rule. There is simply no need for threats or intimidation and there is certainly no justification to delay the beginning of cane delivery season. Such delay will cause great loss to all stakeholders (including the farmers). Having the matter decided by the Courts would not cause any loss, since the Courts would make its judgement and decide if compensation is to be paid.
(f)
BSI was prepared to discuss the dispute BSI and the BSCFA have been discussing amendments to the cane purchase agreement. Substantial progress has been made on such amendments and BSI believes that these can be finalized in order for the crop to start. A meeting had been set for the 19th of November 2013 to hopefully finalize the Agreement. Both parties had agreed that they would attend the meeting. From the 15th of November 2013, BSI had advised the BSCFA in writing that BSI and ASR agreed to discuss the bagasse issue at the upcoming meeting. The only condition was that the bagasse issue be discussed “Without Prejudice”. This is a normal practice where parties discuss a dispute to see (a) if it can be resolved or (b) how the issue will be addressed if no agreement is reached at the meeting. By a letter of 18th November 2013, BSI confirmed (a) that it would be attending the meeting and (b) that it was willing to discuss the bagasse dispute “Without Prejudice”. As you know, representatives from ASR flew in from abroad for the meeting. Those representatives, the BSI representatives as well as a representative from the Ministry of Agriculture went to the Radisson Fort George at the appointed time of 2:00 p.m. No one from the BSCFA showed up, nor did they have the courtesy to even call. We believe that this is not the way to do business.
(g)
ASR Group’s Commitment to Belize The ASR Group has invested over BZ$190 million in Belize to date: (i) BZ$130 million in equity into BSI (which was in a difficult financial position, with the industry facing an imminent crisis) (ii) BZ$32 million in capital expenditure (iii) BZ$28 million in working capital It is not an exaggeration to say that ASR’s investment saved the sugar industry in Belize. Contrary to BSCFA’s statements, ASR has not taken a single dollar out of Belize as dividends.
(h)
Benefits to farmers ASR’s investment has benefited and will continue to benefit farmers. (i) ASR pays a premium price for raw sugar; (ii) ASR purchases direct consumption sugars from BSI at even higher prices; (iii) ASR pays the Fairtrade premium, 100% of which goes directly to the growers which has amounted to $45 million to farmers over the past 6 years; (iv) For this year’s crop, ASR has committed to increase its purchase of Fairtrade sugar and farmers stand to gain $8 million which would go directly and entirely to the growers (provided the crop proceeds without delay) ; (v) ASR’s investments have contributed to a record 2013 crop, from which farmers have benefited immensely; (vi) ASR intends to contribute to provide extension services and technical and infrastructure support to the industry, which will benefit cane farmers directly; (vii) ASR is exploring additional financing for certain critical operations which will strengthen the industry and improve returns for farmers and BSI.
(i)
ASR/BSI’s Commitment is Long Term We are interested in the long-term growth and prosperity of the industry in Belize and have been consistently good to our word and the benefits to the industry are manifest even in the short time since investment. We see a robust future for the industry in Belize provided that business between stakeholders is conducted in good faith and in a professional manner. The issues we need to focus on are increasing productivity at both the field and the mill which is what we are doing. Any bagasse payment would pale in comparison to the revenue that could be generated by the farmers through increased productivity.
(j)
The National Interest This dispute and issue has implications that go well beyond the BSCFA, BSI and the sugar industry. Any bona fide investor who invests in a country does so on the expectation and assurance that that country has a strong and fair system of law and justice to which recourse can be had in the event of disputes. If instead, the disposition is for strife and force then this does not speak well for the investment climate. The damage that this can quietly inflict on the interests of the nation on a whole is untold. BSI and ASR have placed on record to the BSCFA our willingness to discuss the bagasse issue. The BSCFA’s position that they will not start crop unless and until a payment for bagasse is agreed is unreasonable, will hurt farmers and is damaging to sugar industry and the national interest. BSI is ready and able to commence crop and looks forward to the future for the betterment of the farming community and northern region.
26 November 2013
A PAID AD
1 DEC
THE BELIZE TIMES
2013
17
Declaración en Conferencia de Prensa convocada por BelizeSugar Industries Limited (BSI) y American Sugar Refining, Inc. (ASR) Hotel Radisson Fort George Ciudad de Belize 26 de noviembre de 2013 - 10a.m. (a)
Propósito de convocar la conferencia de prensa (i) Como declaró BSI en su primer comunicado de prensa, por lo general, la vía preferida para tratar de abordar los conflictos entre las partes interesadas es la comunicación entre esas partes en lugar de que cada parte esté tratando de argumentar su propio caso públicamente. (ii) Sin embargo, la solicitud de la Asociación de Cañeros de Belize (Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association, BSCFA) para que se les pague por el bagazo se ha lanzado y abogado en los medios públicos. Además, la disputa tiene que ver con la industria azucarera, que es un pilar en la estructura económica de Belize, y fundamental para el norte del país. Asimismo, con la reciente gran inversión de ASR en la industria, también tiene implicaciones para la inversión privada, que es esencial para el desarrollo económico de Belize. (iii) BSCFA ha argumentado su caso en declaraciones frecuentes y en las noticias. (iv) BSI y ASR, por lo tanto, desean declarar su propia posición, incluyendo la corrección de cualquier inexactitud o ideas equivocadas que pueden haber sido hechas o creadas.
(b)
Esta es una disputa comercial legal Las relaciones entre BSI y BSCFA y sus miembros se rigen por legislación. Los agricultores venden la caña de azúcar a BSI - el azúcar, el agua, la fibra, el lodo y todo. La caña de azúcar se convierte entonces en propiedad y responsabilidad de BSI. Se vuelve una carga para BSI que tiene que almacenar y eliminar los residuos, incluyendo el bagazo. BSI ha gastado $20 millones en los últimos 30 años para dicho almacenamiento y eliminación de residuos, y sigue asumiendo ese costo. La Empresa nunca pidió a los cañeros que contribuyeran a o que compartieran ese costo, porque esa era la responsabilidad de BSI y sin duda, BSCFA nunca habría entretenido dicho costo.
(c)
El contrato de compra-venta de caña de azúcar El precio al que se compra la caña de azúcar es objeto de un contrato comercial entre BSI y BSCFA. Este Contrato establece que el precio de la caña se determinará de “las ganancias brutas realizadas... de toda azúcar... y melaza final.” El acuerdo es completo en sí mismo y fue firmado por ambas partes. Y luego, como un apéndice añadido está una declaración firmada que sostiene que: “...El reparto de los ingresos que resultan de la venta de cualquier producto derivado no cubierto en el actual contrato estará sujeto a discusiones futuras y el reparto de los ingresos se basará en los resultados de esas discusiones” La posición de BSI es que los ingresos por ventas de electricidad no puede ser descrito como una “venta de un producto derivado,” y que la fuente del ingreso es en realidad una forma productiva de lo que BSI había venido haciendo todos los años por su propia cuenta - la eliminación del bagazo, incluso la quema del bagazo para producir electricidad para la planta. Además, la cláusula no requiere pago para un “derivado,” sino que sólo dice que estará “sujeto a discusiones futuras.”
(d)
Retorno sobre la inversión El proyecto Belcogen fue concebido desde el 2001. Fue un gran proyecto de inversión en Belize. No había nada para evitar que BSCFA propusiera invertir en el proyecto. Fue diseñado, planificado, financiado y construido y tardó 8 años antes de que comenzara a producir electricidad para su venta en el 2009. Fue exclusivamente un proyecto capitalizado por BSI, la inversión de capital siendo un importe de aproximadamente BZ$130 millones. Y, continuando la historia de responsabilidad de la eliminación del bagazo por BSI, fue un método productivo de eliminación, pero sólo después de grandes inversiones. La solicitud que se pague por el bagazo, como resultado de las ventas de electricidad sería proporcionar un retorno sin inversión. Hasta la fecha, Belcogen ha incurrido en una pérdida operativa acumulada.
(e)
Un asunto para los Tribunales BSI ha declarado en repetidas ocasiones a BSCFA que ya que existe un desacuerdo fundamental entre las partes, entonces el lugar adecuado para resolver la disputa es en los Tribunales - si BSCFA cree en su solicitud, entonces puede presentar esa demanda ante la Corte Suprema de Belize. El Tribunal de Justicia puede hacer una declaración. Simplemente no hay necesidad de amenazas o intimidación y ciertamente no hay justificación para retrasar el comienzo de la temporada de entrega de caña. Tal demora ocasionará una gran pérdida para todas las partes interesadas (incluidos los cañeros). El buscar que los tribunales decidan el asunto no causaría ninguna pérdida, ya que los tribunales harían su juicio y decidirían si se debe pagar compensación.
(f)
BSI estaba preparada para discutir la disputa BSI y BSCFA han estado discutiendo enmiendas al contrato de compra-venta de caña. Se ha logrado un avance sustancial sobre tales enmiendas y BSI cree que estas pueden concluirse a fin de que comience la zafra. Se había fijado una reunión para el 19 de noviembre de 2013 para finalizar, con suerte, el contrato. Ambas partes habían acordado que iban a asistir a la reunión. Desde el 15 de noviembre de 2013, BSI había avisado a BSCFA por escrito que BSI y ASR habían acordado discutir el tema del bagazo en la reunión acordada. La única condición era que el tema del bagazo fuera discutido “sin perjuicio.” Esta es una práctica normal en la que las partes discuten una disputa para ver (a) si se puede solucionar o (b) cómo se abordará el problema si no se alcanza un acuerdo en la reunión. En una carta fechada el 18 de noviembre de 2013, BSI confirmó (a) que iba a asistir a la reunión, y (b) que estaba dispuesta a discutir la disputa del bagazo “sin perjuicio.” Como ustedes saben, representantes de ASR viajaron desde el extranjero para la reunión. Esos representantes, los representantes de BSI, así como un representante del Ministerio de Agricultura fueron al Radisson Fort George en el tiempo señalado de las 14:00 horas. Nadie de BSCFA apareció, ni tampoco tuvieron la cortesía de llamar. Creemos que esta no es la manera de hacer negocios.
(g)
El compromiso del Grupo ASR a Belize Hasta la fecha, el Grupo ASR ha invertido más de BZ $190 millones en Belize: (i) BZ $130 millones en capital en BSI (que se encontraba en una difícil situación financiera, con la industria enfrentando una crisis inminente) (ii) BZ $32 millones en gastos de capital (iii) BZ $28 millones en capital de trabajo No es una exageración decir que la inversión de ASR salvó a la industria azucarera en Belize. Contrariamente a las afirmaciones de BSCFA, ASR no ha sacado un solo dólar fuera de Belize como dividendos.
(h)
Los beneficios para los cañeros La inversión de ASR ha beneficiado y seguirá beneficiando a los cañeros (i) ASR paga un sobreprecio para el azúcar en bruto; (ii) ASR compra azúcares para consumo directo de BSI a precios aún más altos; (iii) ASR paga la prima de Comercio Justo, 100 % de lo cual va directamente a los cañeros, que ha ascendido a $45 millones a los cañeros en los últimos 6 años; (iv) Para la cosecha de este año, ASR se ha comprometido a aumentar su compra de azúcar de Comercio Justo y los cañeros podrían ganar $8 millones que iría directa y completamente a los cañeros (siempre y cuando la zafra proceda sin demora); (v) las inversiones de ASR han contribuido a un cultivo récord en el 2013, del cual los cañeros se han beneficiado enormemente; (vi) ASR tiene la intención de contribuir para proveer servicios de extensión y apoyo técnico y de infraestructura a la industria, que beneficiará directamente a los cañeros; (vii) ASR está explorando financiamiento adicional para ciertas operaciones críticas que fortalecerán la industria y mejorarán la rentabilidad para los cañeros y BSI.
(i)
El compromiso de ASR/BSI es a largo plazo Estamos interesados en el crecimiento y la prosperidad a largo plazo de la industria en Belize y hemos sido consistentemente fiel a nuestra palabra, y los beneficios a la industria son evidentes incluso en el poco tiempo transcurrido desde la inversión. Vemos un futuro sólido para la industria en Belize siempre y cuando los negocios entre las partes interesadas se lleven a cabo de buena fe y de una manera profesional. La cuestión en la que tenemos que enfocarnos es aumentar la productividad tanto en el campo y en la fábrica, que es lo que estamos haciendo. Cualquier pago por el bagazo palidecería en comparación con los ingresos que podrían ser generados por los cañeros a través de una mayor productividad.
(j)
El interés nacional Esta disputa y asunto tiene implicaciones que van mucho más allá de BSCFA, BSI y la industria azucarera. Cualquier inversor de buena fe que invierte en un país lo hace con la expectativa y la garantía de que ese país tiene un fuerte y justo sistema de derecho y justicia al cual se puede recurrir en caso de disputas. Si por el contrario, la disposición es revertir a la lucha y la fuerza, entonces esto no habla bien del clima de inversión. El daño que esto puede causar silenciosamente a los intereses de la nación en su totalidad es incalculable. BSI y ASR han hecho constar a BSCFA nuestra disposición de discutir el tema del bagazo. La posición de BSCFA que no van a empezar la zafra a menos y hasta que se acuerde un pago por el bagazo no es razonable, va a perjudicar a los cañeros y es perjudicial para la industria azucarera y el interés nacional. BSI está listo y capaz de iniciar la zafra y mira hacia el futuro para el mejoramiento de la comunidad agrícola y la región del norte.
26 de noviembre de 2013
A PAID AD
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THE BELIZE TIMES
1 DEC
2013
1 DEC
2013 Liquor License NOTICES Notice is hereby given that JUAN CARLOS DUSSAN is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “Public Super Market”, situate at 49 West Canal, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that JUAN CARLOS DUSSAN is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “Public Super Market”, situate at 26 Central American Boulevard/Nargusta Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that VICTOR AYUSO AND MORINE AYUSO are applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “Victor’s Inn”, situate at Petville, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that BRIAN SNAGG is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “Ruba Bar”, situate at Lord’s Bank Village, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that DALIA SAMOS AND CRYSTAL SAMOS are applying for a Liquor License to be operated at “Ceviche Hut”, situate at 5672 Vasquez Avenue, King’s Park, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that NIKITA USHER is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “Brown’s Shopping Center”, situate at 83 Corner Dean and George Streets, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.
19 Costly Corporate Greed THE BELIZE TIMES
BSI/ASR’s position is bitter for sugar industry Continued from page 11 Court. But is BSI simply practicing corporate greed over struggling cane farmers? Their position of no negotiation on bagasse could have far reaching implications, including prolonging the stalemate with cane farmers who have said they will boycott sugar cane deliveries until BSI is prepared to bend in their favour. We do know that once cane farmers get tired of waiting, they are prone to take action. BSI has begged for a sense of calm and common sense to prevail, howev-
er. They say that in the interest of the industry, cane farmers should accept starting cane deliveries while the dispute of bagasse payment is reviewed before the Court. PUP Supports Cane Farmers On Thursday afternoon, PUP Leader Hon. Francis Fonseca called on the Government to do more than just talking to solve this matter. He lashed out at the Government’s response as being “woefully inadequate”. Hon. Fonseca said that the industry is critical to the nation’s economy and another day of dispute is not af-
fordable. He said he has met with both BSI/ ASR and BSCFA representatives and the PUP stands firmly on the side of the cane farmers. “Bagasse is a component of cane which now has a value. Cane farmers deserve to share in whatever revenues are derived from the sugar cane. We recognize that BSI has made a significant investment therefore any formula has to reflect the investment and the risk taken by BSI in Belcogen,” stated Hon. Fonseca.
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THE BELIZE TIMES
1 DEC
2013
1 DEC
2013
THE BELIZE TIMES
Reid A storm is brewing By G. Michael Reid Before you read this first paragraph and turn away, let me inform you that this article is not about Penner. As promised though, I will continue to remind you of the gross injustice perpetrated by this boy and this government. It is my hope that, since this administration continues to shield and protect Elvin Penner, whenever the PUP assumes office that they will immediately arrest this boy and launch a thorough investigation. It has taken a little stronger breeze than usual, but apparently the issue is all but blown over. Speaking of blowing over, the 2013 hurricane season has come to a close and we have once again come away unscathed. This week, the folks in the United States celebrate one of their biggest holidays of the year. On Thursday, they celebrated Thanksgiving which for them, opens the holiday season. I have long held that we in Belize should also give thanks at this time since in any given year we could be devastated by one or any number of storms. Thank GOD that this was not one of those years. While we escaped from the hurricanes this year, there is a major storm of a different sort brewing up north and if a resolution is not reached quickly, that storm might very well turn out worse than any hurricane. This year’s cane season which was supposed to begin the past Monday, might not happen at all, and might in face, cause some very serious repercussions to this very vital industry. Ironically enough, even with an agreement, the cane farmers would still not have been able to deliver cane since the roads out of the cane fields are impassable. This is interesting since every House Meeting I have ever listened to there have been reports or promises of work being done on the feeder roads in the north. Maybe they’ve been doing like Darrel Bradley; fixing all the wrong roads! Given the value and importance of the cane industry to the economy of Belize, it is imperative that some
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the biggest single private investment in the history of Belize. Belcogen provides all the energy needs of the Tower Hill Sugar Factory and has energy left over to supply almost thirty percent of Belize’s need. According to BEL’s financial reports, it paid Belcogen fourteen million dollars last year for electricity that was bought from the company. This adds another aspect to the entire discussion. Apparently, BEL is able agreement be reached quickly. One to acquire energy from Belcogen at a would expect that the government much lower cost that is paid to Mexwould step in and offer some mediation ico. Should there be no cane season but listening to the minister in charge, this year, it will not be only BSI and it is obvious that he has not a clue of the cane farmers who will suffer but what to do. Barrow’s absence and illlook for electricity rates of the entire ness has proven what Belizeans have country to go up considerably. As it is, long suspected; his is a one man, one we have some of the highest electricbrain government. ity rates in the region. The situation with the cane farmThe cane farmers are well reers and Belize Sugarcane Industry is spected and have country wide suprather complex. There are two fundaport for their cause. It will do ASR no mental disagreements, each with its good to play hardball on this issue. own set of complications. Firstly, BSI is The farmers struggle to pay bills and claiming that they are buying sugarcane put a crop in the field. They must from the farmers, which means then fertilize, pay employees and find the that they can do whatever they want way to transport their product to the factory. For all the time that this industry has been in existence, one has to wonder The cane farmers however, are known to sacrifice all to why no thought was ever make a point and those folks at BSI and ASR had better given to a railway system. Inknow the nature of the beast that they are contending stead of all those cane trucks with. Cane farmers are known to be very militant always lined up to deliver cane, they could have way and as recent as 2009, brought the industry to its stations and a railway that knees over the implementation of a core-sampler. could run the cane directly It cost the life of one of their clan but BSI and govto the factory. Somehow it ernment had to remove the core-sampler and has would seem more efficient. not tried to re-introduce it since. At the bottom of all of this is just one thing; greed! There is a lot of money being with it and whatever they make from made from sugar and the corporate and Tate & Lyle are one and the same that sugarcane is theirs. The farmers parasites want it all. The cane farmers and how is that for coming full circle. disagree, contending that it is an agreeare supposed to do all the work, while Another irony is that the reason BSI ment which shares the profits, giving the white collar hypocrites take it all. ran into financial difficulties and had the farmers 65% and the factory 35%. I applaud the cane farmers on their to be sold was because it had over-exGiven that whenever the price of cane stand and urge all Belizeans to stand tended itself and invested a hundred goes down, the farmer gets less monalongside these brave patriots from and thirty million in the same Belcoey, one would have to think that the the north. Together we win, divided gen which is the cause of all the confarmer’s contention is the more logiwe lose. Long live Belize! tention. At the time it was touted as cal one. The second disagreement is whether Bagasse is trash or a bi-product of sugarcane. The current agreement signed between the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA) and the Belize Sugar Industries Limited (BSI) on July 26, 2002 for the purchase of sugar cane for the production of sugar and molasses contains a Memorandum of Understanding, which clearly states that “ BSCFA and BSI agree that the sharing of revenue arising from the sale of any by-product not covered in the present agreement will be subject to future discussions and the sharing of revenue will be based on the results of these discussions”. Executives of BSI are claiming that Bagasse is trash and is worthless. The farmers are claiming that as a bi-product of the sugar that they sell, it entitles them to a share of whatever profit is derived from it. This is where their argument gets a bit skewed. The owners of the industry are claiming that the electricity produced from the burning of the Bagasse is what has
the value and not the Bagasse itself. BSI wants to go to court and no wonder; this is the kind of logic that only lawyers can understand. There are approximately 6,000 farmers who plant out a total of 55,000 acres of sugarcane each year. Another ten thousand people are employed in the industry and it serves as the very lifeblood of the two northern districts. The cane farmers however, are known to sacrifice all to make a point and those folks at BSI and ASR had better know the nature of the beast that they are contending with. Cane farmers are known to be very militant and as recent as 2009, brought the industry to its knees over the implementation of a core-sampler. It cost the life of one of their clan but BSI and government had to remove the core-sampler and has not tried to re-introduce it since. In June of 2012, the Barrow administration sold Belize’s cane industry to American Sugar Refinery. This after the PUP had fought for years to wrest the industry from the grips of Tate & Lyle. The irony here is that ASR
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THE BELIZE TIMES
1 DEC
2013
1 DEC
THE BELIZE TIMES
2013
Home Economics The BSCFA - BSI/ASR difference over Bagasse By Richard Harrison The Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA) (the farmers) and the Belize Sugar Industries/American Sugar Refinery (the processors).....are at an impasse over the definition of bagasse as a by-product of sugarcane. “the sharing of revenue arising from the sale of any bi-product not covered in their present agreement will be subject to future discussions and the sharing of revenue will be based on the results of those discussions” - Clause in a 1989 commercial agreement between the two parties. At the time, bagasse was not being used for combustion to generate and sell electricity. It was mostly disposed of in fields to replace some of the nutritional value of soils or as a land-fill material....a very valuable use, albeit in kind, if not in cash. The BSI has since invested some US$63 million in BELCOGEN co-generation plants, which combust bagasse to generate electricity and sell to the national electricity company BEL, via connection to the national grid. BELCOGEN has the capacity to generate 27.5 MW from bagasse....and has an agreement with BEL to supply them with 13.5 MW of its capacity..... at a price of BZ$0.21/kwh. This is estimated revenue of around BZ$25 million per year at full capacity, from sale of electricity to BEL. However, this is not the only “revenue” earned. BSI also gains by selling 9 MW of electricity to itself (estimated value of BZ$16 million) much below the price it used to pay for electricity in the past...and 135 tonnes of steam (estimated value not available currently).... to be used in the processing of the sugar cane. It used to use imported fuels and electricity for this purpose.....now these needs are produced internally....from this internally derived by-product of the processing of the sugarcane.
Today, 65,000 hectares of sugar fields in Honduras produce 5 million tons of sugar cane, currently generating 128 MW, with the potential to generate 344 MW of electric energy (Source: Latin Trade/ USDA). Belize cultivates approximately 30,000 hectares of sugar....therefore should have the potential to produce around 158 MW of electric energy. If they reach only 50 MW, the potential for annual revenue is over BZ$90 million per year. Interestingly, the retail price of plantation sugar in Honduras is US$0.38/lb, much higher than the retail price in Belize. Hence, the Honduran sugar consumers are heavily subsidizing sugar investments, as approximately 75% of the sugar produced is consumed locally. In 2010, Honduras imported 158 MT of sugar, from USA (93 MT), El Salvador (52 MT), Guatemala (9 MT) and Costa Rica (4 MT). Belizean consumers/ processors need to be vigilant over the creeping increase in price of sugar on the local market. To try to argue that ba-
gasse is not a by-product of sugarcane is a no-brainer. BSI/ ASR will lose that argument in any fair court.....however, court action is many times used because the time, energies and costs it requires has the ability to frustrate a poor plaintiff....creating unfair advantage for a rich defendant. To try to argue that cane farmers should not benefit from increased value-adding on the product they supply....sugarcane.....is also a no-brainer. To refuse to share the profits from sale of electricity.....would cause cane farmers to shift their strategy to put pressure on adjusting the farm-gate price of the sugarcane. BSI would be better off sharing a fair percentage of the profits from electricity..... since this profit can fluctuate significantly depending on plant efficiency, world market price of alternative energy, world market price of crude oil, among many other factors. Thus, farmers stand to lose or gain from profit-level fluctuations from sale of electricity as a separate strategic business unit (SBU) from the principal income earner, sugar. It is better for BSI to see farmers as partners....rather than as arms-length suppliers.... because if the farmers begin demanding price increases for the sugar....it could affect the profitability of, not only the electricity, but also of
23 the sugar and molasses and all other by-products and potential by-products of sugarcane....regardless of the profit fluctuations that BSI/ASR may experience over time.... which would increase their risk significantly, and along with that, their cost of financing generally. BSI/ASR should not allow themselves to be blinded by greed.....the BSCFA is obviously acting in good faith...... and in the best long-term interest of the stakeholders in the sugar industry, including BSI/ ASR....asking only for their fair share (to be determined by negotiations). They need to act like this....because they cannot just get out of their investments overnight.....and they cannot just pick up tomorrow and leave Belice. Full respect for our Belizean cane farmers....they are displaying great maturity, balance, foresight and wisdom. Our government should support them fully in these negotiations.....as should all other red-blooded Belizeans. Let reason and fair-play prevail.....in this here Land of the Free, by the Carib Sea. Richard Harrison is a local businessman and investor in the manufacturing and service industries. Mr. Harrison holds a Masters in Business Administration degree from Lancaster University, United Kingdom. Send comments to harrisonbz@yahoo.com
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1 DEC
THE BELIZE TIMES
2013
Recipe of the week
Cassava Pudding Ingredients • 3 medium cassavas • 2 tsps. butter • 2 tsps. baking powder • 1 cup sugar • 1 cup coconut milk • ½ tsps. ground cloves • 2 tsps. vanilla essence • Water
Directions • Peel, wash and grate cassavas. • Add coconut milk and butter. • Stir in baking powder, sugar, essence and cloves. • Add enough water to bind stiffness. • Mixture should be 2 inches thick. • Grease baking tin and bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit until golden brown.
1 DEC
2013
On the fourth Thursday of November every year, our neighbours in the USA celebrate Thanksgiving. Although we don’t celebrate Thanksgiving in Belize, at MKC we wanted to still be thankful for our blessings. We are thankful for our families. What are you thankful for?
THE BELIZE TIMES
Follow the dots
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1 DEC
THE BELIZE TIMES
PUP NOTICE
PUP NOTICE
Port Loyola Standard Bearer Convention The People’s United Party Standard Bearer Convention for the Port Loyola Electoral Division is scheduled for Sunday, January 19, 2014. Application are available from the Committee Chairman Mr. Norman Usher or the PUP Secretariat, Independence Hall, #3 Queen Street, Belize City. Completed applications must be filled and returned to Mr. Norman Usher and the Secretary General. The non-refundable fee is to be submitted to the Secretariat along with the necessary documentation to complete the application package. Deadline for submission is December 18 2013.
Stann Creek West Standard Bearer Endorsement Convention
2013
BRAIN
TEASER
SUDOKU PUZZLE #45/2013
The People’s United Party announces the Endorsement Convention for Stann Creek West Standard Bearer to be held on Saturday, November 30th at the Malacate Beach in Independence Village.
Liquor License NOTICE Notice is hereby given that MYRNA MEIGHAN is applying for a Malt, Ale and Cider Liquor License to be operated at “Myrna’s Cool Spot”, situate at #10 Queen Charlotte Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that EDWARD N. MUSA JR. is applying for a Publican General Liquor License to be operated at “James Brodie & Co. Ltd.”, situate at 1.5 Miles Philip Goldson Highway, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that ERLIN MOORE is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “Wish Willy”, situate at Hattie Street, Caye Caulker Village, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.
Notice is hereby given that AUDREY BALFOUR is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at Sea Beezzz Hotel & Restaurant, situate at Caye Caulker Village, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that EDWARD N. MUSA SR. is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “James Brodie & Co. Ltd.”, situate at Albert Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that CURTIS MUSA is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “James Brodie & Co. Ltd.”, situate at 2.5 Miles Philip Goldson Highway, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.
Notice is hereby given that NOELI KUYLEN is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated in Caye Caulker Village, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.
Notice is hereby given that JUAN CARLOS DUSSAN is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “Public Super Market”, situate at 2 Miles Philip Goldson Highway, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.
Answers for last week’s puzzle
Answers for last week’s puzzle
SUDOKU PUZZLE SOLUTION #44/2013
See answers NEXT WEEK
See answers NEXT WEEK
1 DEC
27
THE BELIZE TIMES
2013
BELIZE TIMES WEEKLY
SCIENCE & TECH R
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Selected By Chris Williams
Tongue-Controlled Wheelchair Helps Paralyzed People Move By Tanya Lewis A new wireless device has allowed paralyzed people to drive a wheelchair simply by moving their tongues. In a clinical trial, people with paralysis of all four limbs, a condition known as tetraplegia, effectively used the tongue-drive system to steer a wheelchair through an obstacle course or operate a computer. High-level spinal cord injuries, a major cause of paralysis, currently afflict about 250,000 people in the United States. “As of now, paralyzed individuals have very limited options,” said study leader Maysam Ghovanloo, an electrical engineer at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. The device could give people with severe disabilities greater independence and better quality of life, Ghovanloo told LiveScience. The tongue-drive system consists of a tiny magnet the size of a lentil, which sits in a titanium barbell tongue piercing. A headset containing wireless sensors measures changes in the magnetic field as wearers moves their tongues; the headset then sends these signals to a smartphone, which converts the tongue position into a command to control a computer cursor or drive a wheelchair. In the study, Ghovanloo and his colleagues tested the device in 11 participants with tetraplegia and in 23 able-bodied participants. All participants received the magnetic tongue piercing. The participants then completed various tasks, such as clicking on targets on a computer screen, playing video games, dialing phone numbers and driving a powered wheelchair through an obstacle course, all by touching their tongues to the left and right inside edges of their
A magnetic piercing on the tongue is used to control a computer or wheelchair.
teeth. The able-bodied participants performed better than those with paralysis in the computer-based tasks, but the paralyzed individuals were slightly better at controlling the wheelchairs, the results of the trial, detailed today (Nov. 27) in the journal Science Translational Medicine, showed. “We believe this is a result of [people’s] prior experience,” Ghovanloo said. The able-bodied participants were mostly students, who were very familiar with using computers, whereas some of the paralyzed people had rarely or never used a computer before. By contrast, the disabled individuals use a wheelchair every day, so they excelled at that task. Another popular assistive technology for paralyzed individuals involves driving a wheelchair by sipping and puffing on a straw. Before the study, more than half of the paralyzed participants used sip-and-puff systems daily. “We showed that the tonguedrive system is almost three times faster [at issuing commands] than sip-and-puff systems, but equally
precise,” Ghovanloo said. Naturally, one would think that a tongue-drive system could be problematic during talking or eating. During speech, it turns out the tongue moves almost exclusively back and forth along the midline of the mouth, so Ghovanloo’s team designed their system to ignore these movements and use only sideways tongue flicks as control signals. While eating, however, the tongue moves all over the place, Ghovanloo
said. To avoid inadvertently driving around while trying to eat lunch, users can hold their tongues against their cheeks for three seconds to put the system into a standby mode. When they finish eating, they can use the same command to turn the system back on. The tongue-drive system gives people with disabilities more options in terms of assistive devices. “It’s almost like prescribing a medication,” Ghovanloo said. “Sometimes you have to go through several assistive technologies before you find one that matches the abilities of the patient.” Assistive technologies also reduce the burden on a patient’s family members or caregivers, and can substantially reduce healthcare costs. The researchers are now working on a newer version of the tongue system that fits entirely inside the mouth, instead of requiring a headset, which could be knocked off. Ghovanloo and colleagues have started a company to develop the device commercially, but it must undergo additional testing and be approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
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1 DEC
THE BELIZE TIMES
2013 For Sale By Order of the
When I Grow Up The world is full of practical concepts. Every day principles and realities of life constantly bombard us with boundaries. A child who aspires to write books is told to change his dream to one that makes money in Belize. A young man, talented in drawing, is forced to study engineering to please his family. A woman whose passion is dance puts her desire aside to focus on a more ‘realistic’ pursuit. While it is important to follow the guidelines that are put in place to keep people safe and to benefit society, these guidelines were never meant to suck the life out of dreams. Simply looking at nature is proof enough that God is the ultimate Dreamer, and He has given us all the tools to pursue the desires He has placed in our heart. Have you ever wondered why as children we dream so wildly, but as we grow older, we narrow our dreams to fit the traditions of society? What changes us from believing that we can be doctors, lawyers, singers, writers, explorers, race car drivers, artists and anything we want to be? Admittedly, we do get distracted by the regular chores of growing up, such as following after friends and an education. Yet, the purpose we were sent here on this earth to fulfill calls to us still, and too many people bury it under practicalities. I am not in any way lessening the responsibility that parents or guardians have to their families. In no way do I condone negligent behavior in those who are charged to protect and provide. For example if a father spends his money on a car he has dreamed of owning since he was young and allows his children to go hungry or unclothed, this is not condonable because he is achieving a dream. In fact, these aren’t the dreams that I am talking about. A tired young student dreams of having school for only three days a week, with four day weekends. I imagine tired adults dream the same about their work days as well. The dreams I am referring to are the ones burning in your gut. The ones that make you made when you see others achieving it. These dreams will bless society, not just you. Be warned. Dreamers are hated, even by their own family members. Joseph learned that lesson the hard way in Genesis 37. He had a dream that his family would one day bow to him. Joseph was the youngest in the clan, however, and his seemingly arrogant desire was not pleasing to his older brothers. He was sold into slavery. Long story short, Joseph was falsely accused by his employer’s wife and was sent to prison. Still, Joseph never gave up on his dream. In the smelly, stinky hole of a prison that he was held in, he was so faithful and honorable, that he was put in charge of his cell mates. After a few years of captivity, Joseph interpreted dreams for the King of Egypt and became the second-in-command in the entire kingdom. His dream did come true. People do not like change. And dreamers are crazy enough to change the world. Whether young or old, it is never too late to produce the dream that is in your heart. The world is waiting for you. Until next week, God bless
Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., a company duly registered under the Companies Act, Chapter 250 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition, 2000, and having its registered office at Cor. Albert and Bishop Streets, Belize City, Belize, hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Mortgagee under a Deed of Mortgage dated the 19th June, 2006 made between Elvis Cabral (Borrower) of the one part and The Small Farmers and Business Bank Limited of the other part, and recorded at the Land Titles Unit in Deeds Book Vol. 22 of 2006 at Folios 427 to 448, which said Mortgage was assigned to Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. by a Deed of Assignment of Mortgage made the 30th day of May, 2008, Elvis Cabral of Independence Village, Stann Creek District, Belize of the one part, and Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., of the other part, and recorded at the Land Titles Unit in Deeds Book Vol. 19 of 2008 at Folios 1401 - 1418, the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. will at the expiration of two months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the schedule hereto. All offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing and full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained from the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. SCHEDULE ALL THAT piece or parcel of land situated in Independence Village, Stann Creek District, being Lot No. 151 containing 1100.5387 Square Metres bounded described as shown on Plan No. 328 of 2006 TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon. DATED this 15th day of November, 2013. MUSA & BALDERAMOS 91 North Front Street Belize City Attorney-at-Law for Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd.
For Sale By Order of the Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., a company duly registered under the Companies Act, Chapter 250 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition, 2000, and having its registered office at Cor. Albert and Bishop Streets, Belize City, Belize, hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Mortgagee under a Deed of Mortgage made the 22nd day of June, 2010 ALBERTO SHAL of Big Falls Village, Toledo District, Belize of the one part, and Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., of the other part, and recorded at the Land Titles Unit in Deeds Book Vol. 19 of 2010 at Folios 1381 - 1448, the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. will at the expiration of two months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the schedule hereto. All offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing and full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained from the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. SCHEDULE ALL THAT piece and parcel of land being Lot No. 24 (1302.51 SM or 1557.81 SY) situate in the Big Falls Village, Toledo District, Belize and bounded described as shown on Plan No. 524 of 2000 TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon.
DATED this 15th day of November, 2013. MUSA & BALDERAMOS 91 North Front Street Belize City Attorney-at-Law for Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd.
1 DEC
2013
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THE BELIZE TIMES
2013
CASTRO CASTRATED! Belize City, November 27, 2013 Last week the UDP ragsheet was quick to call whistleblower Alverine Burgess a liar after a US embassy official declared that the embassy does not listen in on our conversations. It appears that may be a technical truth, since it would be the Department of Homeland Security (and not the embassy) that would be listening in. Due to the very sensitive nature of a foreign government listening in on the affairs of local politicians, we may never know the true situation. What has been revealed this week though, is that Edmund Castro is 100% a liar. And, if you believe the Dean Barrow of three weeks ago who publicly declared that any of his Ministers who issued 10, 20 or 30 visa recommendations is one of Ali Baba’s thieves, then it would follow that Edmund Castro is also 100% a visa hustler. Remember the first conversation that Jules Vasquez had with Edmund Castro after the whistleblower blew his lid? Castro barked at Jules “I don’t know anything about any damn visas for Chinese nationals”. Well, Wednesday night’s Channel 5 newscast did not only show that Castro knew about visas for Chinese nationals, but he was knee deep in the business having issued not 1 (as he initially tried to claim), not 5 (as he subsequently tried to claim), but 38 “damn” visa recommendations in less than 3 months. So far. So then, if Castro is not a visa hustler why did feel he feel the need to lie to Jules Vasquez? And, isn’t it a bit weird that Castro recommended visas for 38 Chinese nationals, not having met any of them, not having seen their police records and not knowing whether they were psychotic pedophiles, serial killers or even real persons? At his first press conference since returning from America, the Prime Minister donned a new look, a Santa beard. He complimented the new look with a new “Shaggy” defence to the visa hustle: “it’s not a hustle anymore”. Barrow tried his very best, announcing gifts of plenty for Christmas and hoping against hope that we would somehow forget that it was he, Dean Barrow, who first broke the story that there was a major visa hustling ring among his Ministers. He was the one who looked them in their eyes at every Cabinet meeting and begged for “God’s sake, Stop it!!!!” Now, Barrow has changed his tune. He is downplaying an issue of national and international importance by saying that it’s not a hustle because his Ministers do it every day in every Ministry. What was once classified as so reprehensible that it would bring down his government is now a normal, everyday occurrence. What this means then is that no longer will Dean plead to his Ministers to “Stop it for God’s sake” because it’s
normal. By taking this new approach to the hustle, Barrow is publicly saying that he condones it, he accepts it and endorses it as the norm in his rotting, corrupt ad-
ministration. The US government is watching, but Barrow could care less. Power has gotten to his head. There is no turning back as Barrow has once again placed himself
in the position of defending the indefensible in the name of holding onto power. There is no need to warn Dean Barrow about the slippery slope. He has taken a gamble. Let’s see where the chips fall.
Needed: A Competent Minister of Works, CEO of Works & Chief Engineer!! GOB fails to repair crumbling infrastructure nationwide
Belize City, November 25, 2013 As much as CORRUPTION has become entrenched in the Barrow Administration, INCOMPETENCE will truly be their legacy as every sector of Belize has crumbled in their hands. Prime Minister Dean Barrow was right in saying that 9 of every 10 times they get things wrong. One such sector is the infrastructure of country, which has been deteriorating before our very own eyes, threatening our way of life. The past few days of rain have shown us how terribly the Barrow Administration has neglected the street and roads across our country. Annually, the Ministry of Works is allotted millions of dollars in the nation’s budget for road construction and maintenance. They also get millions more through loans, donations and grants from financial institutions. Yet, our roads and streets in towns, cities and villages are decaying and primitive. One example is the road condi-
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THE BELIZE TIMES
2013
PUP
SUBMITS RECALL PETITION SIGNATURES
On Thursday PUP officials including Secretary General Myrtle Palacio, Deputy Leader Julius Espat, Cayo North East Standard Bearer Orlando Habet & Belmopan Standard Bearer Patrick Andrews were present at the hand over of 2003 signatures to the G.G.
Needed: A Competent Minister of Works, CEO of Works & Chief Engineer!!
GOB fails to repair crumbling infrastructure nationwide Continued from page 30 tions throughout the Cayo District. The very highway which connects the villages in Cayo seems to be undergoing a perplexing and never-ending transformation. No one knows what exactly the Ministry of Works is trying to achieve as the works has come to a halt and the repairs have been left half way. Com-
PUP NOTICE Toledo East Standard Bearer Endorsement Convention The People’s United Party announces the Endorsement Convention for Toledo East Standard Bearer to be held on Saturday, December 14th 2013. PUP NOTICE Corozal South East Standard Bearer Endorsement Convention The People’s United Party announces the Endorsement Convention for Corozal South East Standard Bearer to be held on Sunday, December 15th 2013. PUP NOTICE Dangriga Standard Bearer Endorsement Convention The People’s United Party announces the Endorsement Convention for Dangriga Standard Bearer to be held on Sunday, December 8th 2013. PUP NOTICE Fort George Standard Bearer Endorsement Convention The People’s United Party announces the Endorsement Convention for Fort George Standard Bearer to be held on Wednesday, December 4th 2013.
muters have been left to suffer through the bumpy ride. After the heavy rains over the past two weeks, road conditions in many villages were affected. In Cayo one of the most affected was the Arizona area in Teakettle village which serves over 300 hundreds and which is very popular for the nearby tourist attractions such as Poot’s Hill resort and the ATM Cave. Additionally, the community is an important area for farming. The Ministry of Works made a quick attempt of maintaining the road with material which became heavy mud with the rains. The residents including school children and farmers had no way of entering or exiting the village. While the Ministry of Works, who has access to equipment and resources, was unresponsive to this crisis, Area Representative Julius Espat and community residents joined hands to find a solution. With the assistance of other concerned individuals, Hon. Espat assisted to rehabilitate the road so residents could resume commuting. Meanwhile in the northern districts, the main roads throughout the villages are in total disrepair. The roads to San Estevan and Progresso have deteriorated badly and there has been no response from the Ministry of Works. Flood waters have affected the road which should have been paved completely since May 2013. Now residents travelling on private vehicles and public buses have to wade through water and mud to travel to and from their homes. Belize is in desperate need of a competent Minister of Works, a Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry and Chief Engineer who will work for the people and not for political points. The ones in office are clearly among them who 9 of 10 times prove the Prime Minister right, totally incompetent!
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